Optimization of microbiological parameters for enhanced griseofulvin production using response surface methodology

Central composite design was used to determine the optimal levels of microb iological parameters, viz., slant age, seed age and inoculum level, for enh anced griseofulvin production by Penicillium griseofulvum MTCC 1898 and Pen icillium griseofulvum MTCC 2004 in shake flask fermentation. The optimal le vels of slant age, seed age and inoculum level for Penicillium griseofulvum MTCC 1898 were found to be 8.8772 days, 4.2093 days, 12% (v/v) (=17.56 kg dry cell mass/m(3)) and for Penicillium griseofulvum MTCC 2004, 8.221 days, 3.4875 days and 9% (v/v) (=8.09 kg dry cell mass/m(3)) respectively. The y ield of griseofulvin under optimal conditions was found to be 1.65 times fo r Penicillium griseofulvum MTCC 1898 and 1.07 times for Penicillium griseof ulvum MTCC 2004 higher than that obtained using unoptimized conditions. The fermentation time for maximum production of griseofulvin by Penicillium gr iseofulvum MTCC 1898 and Penicillium griseofulvum MTCC 2004 decreased by 4 days and 2 days respectively.